Shogun | A Total Review

#shogun

[@AntonyCummins]

Get your copy of SAMURAI DEATH CULT HERE USA www.amazon.com/Samurai-Death-Cult-Dark-Bushido/dp/B0D2GJMP1N/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=AUTHOR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.E-fBLXyrTIFJUvaPZ4uC3JMVqutkuTk7cyh-F-YzBBYpLTwA1Iu18sPOxxrIZ_6Oge5CJq1bQxpONYI_-nlRg-tyxPrknCGPshmJqWHUyfgjlGQDGqwK3XnSlFEkUcsoJ7W1enPhTQSJoQ4T6ta7IDs6862DCUa9jTPG_TfIunJnhe4Z_xjmFe9wNfzWC5MrVcWO3rfCXycrMPd2PVcke_wSEIgsbzfO5BCKABIJnLM.itY8JKxv0ICCEmcdaW1VOlOwstQBIv4LvIv4OWVYCkQ&qid=&sr= UK www.amazon.co.uk/Samurai-Death-Cult-Dark-Bushido/dp/B0D2GJMP1N/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= IN THE SERVICE OF the SHOGUN www.amazon.com/Service-Shogun-Story-William-Adams/dp/1789148642

[@nont18411]

“Look how they massacred my boy” My opinion towards Blackthorne

[@kaguth]

I think overall the new Shogun is a great catalyst for getting the world more into Japanese history, which is a great thing.

[@-RONNIE]

I'm going to start watching the series when I get home and binge watch it the entire weekend

[@AntonyCummins]

Finally!

[@-RONNIE]

@@AntonyCummins yeah when it's a short series like that I always binge watch it. I'm already going to order in my dinner so I don't have to worry about cooking all I need to do is grab some snacks

[@Amatsuichi]

it wasnt a bad show, yet I did like the 1980 a lot more for many reasons the 2024 had just one outstanding character and actor who portrayed Yabushige, other than that, Blackthorne got pretty on my nerves and he was more than just side-lined by other character stories, Toranaga ended up being the biggest egocentric self-centred bloody murderer of everyone around him, which probably could have been true, yet I think Mifunes Toranaga was much better... Many important characters from the book didn't get enough time, actually almost zero time and a few changes felt rushed and moved to different parts of the story, just to be there... example Blackthornes seppuku attempt... It should have been a 2 season show, with more dedication to development of individual characters and the general story of what was leading up to the big Sekigahara battle and maybe even the siege of Osaka which followed later

[@naho0730]

I agree with you 100% about ninjas. Shinobi in the show are so real compared to the cartoonish ones in the 1980 show. However, I had the opposite impression of yours regarding the final big battle. The final chapter shows how characters and history changed through certain events, how Mariko's death affected them. I think it was actually good that it didn't fall into the cliché of having a big battle at the end.

[@TheCases-qb6vz]

Loved every second of it! I loved the 80's version as well! At this point I truly enjoy anything with or about Japanese culture though.

[@Thunder5963]

I absolutely loved it! I am rewatching right now.

[@stratdx]

I watched the original mini series, and I’ve read the book twice. I watched this version mostly interested in the costumes, sets, and culture. I enjoyed that aspect of it. I agree with critique of the Blackthorne character.

[@sernis2396]

One of my favorite shows ever!

[@serpnta1267]

Loved the show. I'm watching it over with friends and I find that I'm liking it more the second time. One thing I really liked in the new version compared to the 80's version is that the new version isn't as much of a love story. I feel like the older version really pushed the love story too much, but then again is was made in the 80's. Best character for me was Yabushige. I loved his hunger for power only to watch it slip way and drive him to desperation. I purchased your book yesterday and look forward to reading it after I finish reading "Shogun".

[@AntonyCummins]

It will take you too long to finish shogun!!! Lol

[@serpnta1267]

@@AntonyCummins Hahaha. I hope not. I'm a little over half way done. But your new book is next on my list, jumping ahead of a few others.

[@lisaamber1566]

The costumes were incredible particularly Mariko’s white gown when having an audience in the castle. My favourite scene was the samurai killing the guards at Mariko’s orders. Excellent choreography. No w.o.k.e nonsense which is so refreshing these days and maybe one of the reasons the series has been so successful (Wolf Hall should take note!) I wouldn’t have been interested in this series or Japanese culture if it wasn’t for you Anthony ❤

[@AntonyCummins]

I’m glad you are now!

[@nont18411]

Ochiba’s redemption makes no sense, especially with her additional lore in this version. Ochiba, Blackthorne and Toranaga to some extent are three characters that are most damaged. Other than that, the show is fine.

[@applefortynine8207]

I enjoyed Shogun 2024 (and thank goodness no agenda was shoved down our throats). Also a great (not so historically accurate) WW2 movie that has all the Ninja elements you need is The Mimistry of Ungentlemanly Warfare! It had espionage, disruption, disguising, and soldiers doing their specialized task at hand.

[@AntonyCummins]

I’m going to watch it.

[@tochiro6902]

Thank you for the good work.

[@vashnator]

Why is it that people who've never been in war are always desperate to see one?

[@AntonyCummins]

Good quote

[@vashnator]

@@AntonyCummins but in all honesty man I think you're approaching this from a western point of view of the average viewer who needs the thrill of battle and gore, I think for a series like this it's a better end to wonder if there was indeed a confrontation considering that forces were tipped from the start. Sekigahara was one of the bloodiest and messiest conflicts of Japanese history as you probably know better than I ever will... Why do we need it from a story telling point of view, and what does it add? The end was already implied by Toranaga and we know where things will go, so why do we need sekigahara really and what does it add?

[@Amatsuichi]

@@vashnator its not for the gore, its the learning aspect we get from history... by knowing our history, we know more about ourselves and about what we are capable of... maybe, by learning about the gruesome things our ancestors did, we can avoid to do the same horrible things in the future... by not forgetting our history, we might evolve into something more civilized, slowly, but one day we might get to a point where we put our conflicts behind us and we will unite to reach a common goal, as humanity... for that, knowing ourselves and our past, is very important

[@vashnator]

@@Amatsuichi I'm sorry but with this being true sekigahara adds nothing to the story telling. As Tony mentioned, the series tries to be loyal to a Novel which is a fictional story in which there's no Sekigahara explicitly, only briefly in the books epilogue. Again, Sekigahara adds nothing to the story

[@Amatsuichi]

@@vashnator I agree, I am not saying we should see the detailed Sekigahara battle in the series, it wasn't in the book either.. there was a lot which happened leading up to the battle though, many lords were involved and actually Tokugawa wasn't certain he would win the battle as he was counting on one of the lords betrayal / inactivity during the battle, which was kind of a 50/50 chance... the battle it self was of course interesting in terms of tactics, but nothing we should necessarily see in the series... What would interest me more, was the aftermath, what happened after Sekigahara, how the Tokugawa shogunate was formed and maybe how the Taikos heir was trying to get back to power just in a few years after Sekigahara... so the stories and the events before and after the battle could have been really interesting to see.

[@dannygreenland4853]

I have watched both the 80's version and this version and both were good the new version I admit had some problems, I felt some scenes were rushed like the prison scene in the 80's Version it was where Blackthorn learned to speak Japanese in the new version it ended to soon, the Seppeku attempt by Blackthorn was put in chapter 10 and although I understand why it was put in it should have been done about chapter 4 or earlier. Although I like Hiroyuki Sanada as Toranaga/Tokugawa there was no bonding between Toranaga & Blackthorn other than the swimming scene, whereas in the 80's version, there was more bonding. Mariko although she was pretty cool, I didn't like her too much she was all over the place, sometimes I liked her sometimes I didn't. Blackthorn was also cool at some points but at other times annoying and pushed to the side unlike in the 80's version. I would have liked to have seen the Battle of Sekigahara but the budget may have been a factor. I didn't like how they killed off Toranaga's son and it made u go wait does he have any other sons which he did but none were mentioned like Tadayoshi Matsudaira I think that was his name. Having Ochiba being Nobunaga Oda's daughter instead of Nagamasa Azai's was a surprise but cool overall. I have seen videos about making a season 2. I don't know whether to believe that or not, but if they did it would just copy history I imagine, Starting season 2 with the Battle of Sekigahara and ending it all at the Winter Battle Of Osaka. These are just my thoughts but then what would Blackthorn be doing would he be fighting in these battles would be interesting to see. Planning to buy the book soon.

[@jamestait8676]

Got my copy in the post this morning #samuraideathcult

[@AntonyCummins]

Please do let me know what you think

[@josueroberto7356]

I agreed with you on Blackthorne by episode 9, but I actually thought they landed his character pretty well in episode 10. I don’t mind that he’s not a hero, no character in this show was. Not even Mariko.

[@AntonyCummins]

I’m the opposite mate. That was a massive fail to me lol

[@saymyname2417]

Without Blackthorne being what he is in the books... the whole thing isn't Clavell's Shogun.

[@josueroberto7356]

@@saymyname2417 True, but so?

[@saymyname2417]

@@josueroberto7356 - Well, little me thought this series was supposed to be a faithful adaptation of Clavell's book. That expectation wildly exceeded reality...

[@josueroberto7356]

@@saymyname2417 Well, that’s why I always try to set my expectations at zero before starting anything 🤷‍♂️

[@KLINGONASSASSIN]

Compared to the 80s one it rocks. And I prefer Jarvis to Chamberlain. And if it wasn't for the ninja attack I'd like it all. But Oshiba no kata, her eerie expressions and her snake skin and spider web dresses. Some details is so good. In the 80s one, doesn't one of Anjins samurai shave his head and dress as a monk to spy on the entrance of a castle, or have I dreamt that. OT. Has anyone else seen that other YTCs are copying The Shogunates style all of a sudden? One of the post Shogun effects.

[@SengokuStudies]

Copying his style?

[@KLINGONASSASSIN]

@@SengokuStudies Yeah, suddenly "new" channels are adopting your and shogunates styles, even the way of talking.

[@SengokuStudies]

@@KLINGONASSASSIN I have noticed a lot of new AI channels that cover stuff about Japan popping up. I have also noticed in the wake of shogun, a lot of channels that have done little, if anything, about Japan suddenly became Japanese history channels for a short period of time.

[@scorpzgca]

Yeah I agree Shogun was great I hope we get more traditional ninja shows, games and video games I will keep studying your books I need more samurai knowledge I get a samurai sword and cut tatami and train in Yagyū Shinkage-ryū

[@DionysianLovecraftian]

I thought the series wasn't a good adoptation of book because they changed so much but as a thing onto itself it was good.

[@Yecco]

Maan, I would like to mention the end was unexpected, so many tips open and just your imagination is the end... the movie left behind the destiny of so many characters, they leave some ideas of what could be the destiny of some, but my feeling was they left tips loose and my curiosity to know what really happened was frustrated....

[@MagickArmory]

I thought it was great ! Major inconsistency on the last episode though. I don't understand the point of them showing Anjin old in the beginning of the episode makes no sense because they didn't revisit it at the end of the episode. But in said scene when he is clearly in bed clutching the rosary that Mariko /lady maria gave to him. Yet it shows him in the past clearly dropping her rosary in the water titanic style when he's helping his consort spread her deceased husband and sons ashes in the water.

[@AntonyCummins]

I think it’s meant to be a dream. But it’s not clear enough.

[@aethar5519]

I do think it's worth mentioning that, other than blackthorne drive and effort to take on the black ship being dulled, his character is quite accurate to the book in which he is far from a white saviour, in fact toranaga reveals that he does not want blackthorne for his knowledge or potential fleets he could build, but simply as a friend. Blackthrone is not our protagonist, he is a vessal for those from the west to view and introduce japan through. I feel like it's useful to view Blackthorne the way John Watson is used in the Sherlock serialisations, as a lense to the reader and supporting character to the protagonist. In this case we have two protagonists, mariko and toranaga. So i felt like the only fall off in Blackthornes character was exactly as you said, the wierd appology thing.

[@AntonyCummins]

Thanks for the info

[@nont18411]

Toranaga still wants Blackthorne as a justification to get rid of Portuguese though. He even thought of the sakoku and Dejima island.

[@radoslavkosil7450]

Hold up. So its gonna be just 10 episodes?

[@highchamp1]

Damp

[@RealHollarius]

Is Blackthorne a great character? Nope, I don't think, he was good played. But that is the problem of a actor, who has not enough facettes. But what the fuck do you mean with "woke". The series tells the story of the novel, where Blackthorne sometimes think, that he is the hero of it all, but he is always the puppet of Toranaga. Blackthorne is no white saviour, that is true. He isn't one, cuz he never was meant to be. Clavell was far to clever for this stupid trope ...

[@AntonyCummins]

I liked the actor

[@signor_zuzzu]

Show is really good. And we finally got a solid piece of media that shows a true shinobi 🥷🏻 💪🏻